Over the last few months I had to spend quite a bit of time in doctor's waiting rooms, hospitals and other public places where there was a dedicated play area or toybox for kids. First of all I think it's great that there is an area for kids and that many institutions provide toys to keep the little ones entertained. The downside of this is that many of these toys are in a really sad state - broken, filthy or downright dangerous. Some of them look like they have been there for years without ever being replaced or cleaned. ... read more >>

OK there is a downside to being married to a Spanish woman and living far away from Spain. Sooner or later she wants to go home to visit her family (and quite rightly so). This year though there is a twist to this story - she's taken Noah. Her family haven't really seen him or spent any time with him so it's only fair - but I have to say I really miss them! It's been a week without wife and son, and I've got another 7 to go. Feels like an absence marathon!

So what do you do as a dad without a kid and partner (temporarily thank god) ... do all the things you used to do before you were married and had kids? Yes - and more. I found that keeping busy is a really good way to get through it. On top of that there is catching up with friends - especially the ones who don't have kids. And then there are all those unfinished jobs in the house ... ... read more >>

I just saw a question come through on YEDDA from a mum who was worried about her 2 1/2 year-old who swallowed a coin. Sounds like something that could happen to me and my son ... so I thought let's check this out. It must happen a lot anyway. Over on Yedda there have been 3 responses so far - all of them basically say "watch out but don't worry".

After a bit of Internet research I found out that the swallowing of objects is indeed common amongst children. The main problems in this case are choking (rare) or the coin going down the wrong tube (even rarer) into the respitory tract. There is also a risk the coin gets stuck in the esophagus. ... read more >>

I recently got an email from a reader about the use of cleaning products in the house - YAY, my favourite subject (no, seriously). Don't know about other dads but I keep seeing these ads for all purpose cleaning products in the house that promise to remove 99.99% of all germs. Sounds great, eh? Until you realise that whatever kills 99.99% of all bacteria must be pretty lethal all round. So I'm not sure I prefer my little man to lick a surface with some leftovers from the cleaning product vs picking up the germs that were there naturally. ... read more >>

I've just come across a report published by the Fatherhood Institute (the UK's fatherhood think-tank) called "The difference a Dad makes". This is hands down one of the best reports by any parenting organisation on recent trends in child upbringing. Although it seems the main objective of the Fatherhood Institute is as a lobbying organisation the report is an easy read for everyone. It is a summary of underlying trends and desires of fathers that are becoming ever more apparent.

Some key quotes from the research presented in this report: ... read more >>

Don't waste money on expensive theme park rides - in true DIY style check out the following!

NB: Whenever you create your own ride - MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS SAFE!

-Stef

It's never too early to start introducing your children to a bit of housework!

-Stefan

Did you know that honey is potentially lethal for babies of up to 12 months? This week there was a story on the German news wire (DPA) about the various problems of giving honey to babies. "Babies up to 12 months should not eat honey as it could contain certain bacteria that release "Botulinumtoxin", a neurotoxin which can lead to severe food poisoning", according to Antje Gahl who works for the German Nutrition Society.

Gahl was keen to stress that there is no need to panic but that parents should check baby food that may contain honey. To be on the safe said she suggested to avoid honey as a food for babies altogether. Gahl said that honey was safe to eat for toddlers from about 1 year onwards as their digestive system is fully developed and can neutralise the toxins. ... read more >>

After a great period of carpet crawling, I'm happy to report that our little champ is now walking. What a fantastic moment to see your child walk for the first time. Behind the scenes we were all worried that he was going to fall over and hit his head but he managed well. It only took him about a week or so to really get his balance sorted. Now he walks very confidently and doesn't need his arms for balancing anymore. How cool!

OK - surely I'm not the only one who has captured his toddler walking for the first time - dads, send some video replies!

-Stef

Today is definitely a day to celebrate the advantages of having a Spanish mum and a German father - why? Spain is playing Germany in the final of the 2008 European football championship ... so no matter what happens our little man Noah is always a winner.

Ahead of tonight's clash between Spain and Germany, Noah is getting excited about the match although he is quietly confident that his team will win (which is easy when you're half Spanish and half German). He's been practising his football skills for a while now (mostly trying to stay upright after kicking the ball) and we're sure he's got a great football career in front of him.

Some impressions from the match preparations in the house ... ... read more >>